How the evolutionary flight/fight response hijacks the logical brain
Thousands of years of evolution hardwired the flight or fight response into humans. When danger threatens in a primitive world, it is usually a physical danger—a rival warrior, a predator, or a dangerous precipice. To survive these dangers, one had to be swift, strong, or hidden. Those who survived did so by fighting, fleeing, or freezing; these are the genes that we all have inherited. A little bit of neuroscience will help us understand why many people resort to primitive behavior under pressure. Understanding is the first step to controlling the situation and helps us find solutions.
Simplified Neuroscience
Human brains are very complex, yet the simplified diagram in Figure 2.1, illustrating the main functions of the brain, is sufficient for understanding how the flight/fight/freeze response affects our thinking.
The unconscious or reptile brain handles the mechanics of living. The primitive or chimp brain (Peters 2011) is the source of protective instincts and emotions such as anger and fear, which help us survive. The upper-level brain provides wisdom, logic, analysis, compassion, understanding, and so forth—the thoughts that make us civilized. Figure 2.2 shows what happens when the Flight/Fight/Freeze Instinct is triggered.
The flight/fight/freeze response switches off the logical part of the brain, leaving the primitive brain in control. Evolution hardwired this response into humans as well as other animals because in a physically dangerous world, it helps us survive. In the modern world, the threats and challenges we face require logic and cooler heads. However, our brains and bodies still react instinctively to threat and competition with this response. Therefore, when we really, really need to say the right thing, we say the wrong one.
Figure 2.1 Simplified Cross-section of Human Brain Showing Different Functions
Figure 2.2 Effect of Flight/Fight/Freeze on Human
Being aware of how evolution hijacks our brains when we are angry or frightened helps us manage our behavior and comprehend that of others.
Negative Spiral
As one can see from Figure 2.2, we think and perceive differently when we are in the grip of the flight/fight/freeze reaction. We see dangers and threats. We interpret others’ behavior in negative ways, so become more angry or frightened. The same thing is happening to the others involved in the situation. Logic seems to fly out the window when tempers flare and minor issues can cause major upsets. We get trapped in a negative downward spiral that I call the conflict whirlpool. An example of this is given in the scenario below.
Practical Example
Meat Eater and Vegetarian
Fred and John work together. Fred loves gardening, is a vegetarian, and keen on animal rights. John likes hunting, eats meat, and is keen on socializing and having parties. They work together and get on fairly well. The fact that John and Fred have different interests in life, such as gardening or parties, is not consequential. Even if they disagree on less trivial matters, they can still agree to disagree.
John comes in late and Fred makes a sarcastic comment about how John’s socializing seems to be more important to him than work. John feels threatened and says, “Well at least I haven’t been off sick as much as you. Maybe you should start eating meat and get stronger.”
They both feel upset and angry that their way of life has been challenged. Fred is annoyed and reports John’s lateness to the supervisor. John arranges the catering for a meeting and forgets to order vegetarian food. Fred thinks he has done this on purpose and reports him to the supervisor again. John starts looking for a chance to get back at Fred. Their focus has changed from working to complaining about each other and finding fault.
We do not often realize that we have a choice of response because our brains see behavior, interpret it, and decide on a course of action extremely quickly. Figure 2.3 shows how our minds work when an unexpected event occurs.
One can intervene at any stage of this cycle to change the outcome. The first step is to be aware that we have a choice.
Figure 2.3 Thought Cycle
Between stimulus and response is the freedom to choose. Viktor Frankl
Action
When an unexpected change occurs, the instinctive action is to get mad, back off, or ignore the event. We do not realize that we have perceived it as a threat, reacted, and then, acted based on whether our reaction was flight, fight, or freeze.
If it is important and needs appropriate action which is not physical, the likelihood of getting it wrong when you are not thinking is high. It may start a vicious downward spiral, as in the earlier example.
Medical research has discovered that continuously pumping out adrenalin and cortisone makes us ill and we take longer to recover. Because we do not really think about the situation and the part we play, we keep making the same mistakes. Sometimes, we can control the action, but as we saw, suppressing the outlet can worsen the reaction.
We often catch ourselves before the action and are left with the pent-up fear or anger. There are healthy and unhealthy ways of treating stress/anger/anxiety. Pills, or alcohol, or denial provide some temporary relief. Deep breathing will slow and steady the heart rate, exercise will relieve some tensions and create your own internal opiates. Laughter boosts the immune system and releases pent-up emotions. Various therapies may relieve symptoms. The following chapters contain tools and ideas that will help you to control and manage your reaction.
Perception
You can also change the story you tell yourself about what has happened—however, if you are deep in the flight/fright/freeze response, you may need to calm the reaction first. Changing your perception of an event is more difficult but creates a longer lasting resolution.
Understanding this cycle helps us see that we can intervene at various points, depending how much we are in control. This will help us to choose the most appropriate way to manage our emotions.
Event
And, of course, we could prevent the event occurring. Although, as the Chinese proverb says,
It is better to wear shoes than to try and make the whole world smooth.
Chapter 3 will give you some practical ways to help control your emotions and avoid a brain hijack.
Check Understanding Chapter 2
• Why is evolution important to understanding conflict?
• Why do we often behave illogically under stress?
• What are the benefits and drawbacks of the flight/fight/freeze response?
• What is the first symptom you personally feel when the flight/fight/freeze instinct kicks in?
• Do you have any good strategies for staying calm under stress?
• Describe a situation where the flight/fight/freeze caused you to act in an unhelpful way.